Holler for Lolla! Chicago, Grant Park, Lollapalooza, Let’s Go!
3 Aug
Oh how sweet it is, the second city becomes numero uno in the music world this weekend as Lollapalooza gets underway today! If you can’t make it, stream it. If you can’t stream it, listen to this little Lollapalooza playlist I made on Spotify.
Will try to get some updates on the blog throughout the festival and you can expect a full recap following.
Cheers!
I turned two today! Well, DoYouHearTheMusic.com did!
2 AugCrazy for me to think that two years ago I started this online journal aka my music spot on the massive internet aka a blog. I think what I’m most excited about is that I haven’t given up and that I’ve tried to keep posting new, interesting and fun content to share with friends and people I have never met (closing in on 700 posts!). But the most joy I get out of penning doyouhearthemusic.com is when someone tells me they love xyz band I posted, dug that new song or tell me a new band to check out. Music is the universal language that can connect everyone in some shape or form and I’m just happy being a piece to that puzzle.
The last year has brought me incredible memories via music. I spent 15 of the coolest minutes of my life talking to Mr. Jimmy Cliff. That interview ran in Vegas SEVEN as did my chats with Walk The Moon, Foster The People and Ryan Bingham. I made my radio debut and started writing for a second publication getting to feature DJs. I made my first trip to Lollapalooza (to which I am going back to tomorrow), I returned to Bonnaroo and reveled in four glorious days of music with incredible friends. I discovered new bands and musicians like The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, Sleeper Agent, San Cisco, Clement Marfo & The Frontline, New Navy, Baywood, Jukebox The Ghost, Zach Heckendorf….you get the point, I could go on forever. I saw some incredible concerts with the likes of rising stars Vintage Trouble and Allen Stone to some of my favorites like Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R., G. Love and Dispatch. Said goodbye to some truly amazing musicians who’s music I grew up listening to (RIP Adam Yauch, Whitney Houston, Levon Helm, Donna Summer, Robin Gibb, Etta James, Davy Jones).
All in, not a bad 365 days! But where do I go from here? Guess we’ll just have to wait and see but if the stars align, the next year could be the most rocking one ever!
Peace + Love + Music
Craig
New Music – Lollapalooza Edition: Dry The River
1 AugLollapalooza Week on DoYouHearTheMusic.com continues with another rising act you should most definitely be listening to.
Three words: Dry The River
Who? A fast rising band from across the pond
What? An English folk-rock band
Why you should listen? How about they’ve not only played South by Southwest but the biggest music festival in the world, Glastonbury. And that was before their debut LP, Shallow Bed was released
A reason you’ll be excited? Give a listen to their EP Weights & Measures and you’ll understand why they’ve been invited to play so many esteemed festivals. On Shallow Bed listen to the tracks
Why I’m excited: I’m still fascinated by how much amazing music has been coming out of the U.K. the past few years and this is another group gaining a lot of steam. I’ve also heard their live shows are much more rocking then their recorded works (think a la The Avett Brothers)
If you like: Mumford & Sons, The Head and The Heart, Fleet Foxes, Boy & Bear, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, King Charles
Final thoughts: Melodies, harmonies, real music. These guys display all of it and in such a perfectly balanced way.
Friday, August 3, 3:20 p.m., BMI Stage
New Music – Lollapalooza Edition: Milo Greene
31 JulLollapalooza Week on DoYouHearTheMusic.com continues with another rising act you should most definitely be listening to.
Two words: Milo Greene
Who? Not just one person as you may imagine (and some people really thought) but rather a five-piece band from Southern California
What? “a collection of voices that live and breathe simultaneously with the breadth of an omniscient, collective consciousness”
Why you should listen? You ever have that moment when you just need to chill out and disappear from the world? Tune into this when that happens
A reason you’ll be excited? Listen to the tracks “1957” and “Silent Way”
Why I’m excited: These guys are brilliant. How else do you explain them creating an alias, “Milo Greene,” while in college to serve as their booking agent/manager? Fast forward as they morphed into literally, Milo Greene. Musically, I love how these five individuals have found a way to craft a whole bunch of music styles under one roof through each of their own unique strengths. When listening to the self titled album I feel like I’m being taken on an adventure and I like it.
If you like: Of Monsters and Men, The Lumineers, Vacationer, The Apache Relay
Final thoughts: I really dig Marlana Sheetz’s voice, stunning. Check out their performance on Letterman earlier this summer. And at Lollapalooza, Milo Greene pulled an early time slot but for those of you going, this is a great way to start your Saturday. Bring a blanket and just chill out on the grass as you watch this rising band take you on your own adventure.
My recommendation, arrive early and stop at the Google Play stage to a couple songs from the Kopecky Family Band and then continue moving to the Playstation Stage for Milo Greene.
Saturday, August 4, noon
New Music – Lollapalooza Edition: The Dunwells
30 JulSo this week it’s all about Lollapalooza on DoYouHearTheMusic.com. Most everyone is familiar with a lot of the acts performing this weekend so I’m going to throw some info out there on some artists and bands you may not be up to speed on. Today’s group is actually a band I cannot wait to see, one of the must see shows for me.
Two words: The Dunwells
Who? Two brothers, two cousins and one more mate from Leeds, England.
What? A five piece band destined to make it across the pond in America. Check out their debut album, Blind Sided Faith.
Why you should listen? Their indie-folk sound is full of beautiful harmonies any music fan will love – plus they add a little slice of Americana to their music.
A reason you’ll be excited? These boys are now on a mini US Tour so get out and see them at a venue near you.
Why I’m excited: These guys just bring it and I can’t wait to see them perform live. From their folk to blues and rock to soul, they are all over the place but in a unique way that blends together perfectly.
If you like: Mumford & Sons
Final thoughts: At Lollapalooza these guys have to compete in the same time slot as Alabama Shakes, The Temper Trap, fun. and B.o.B – how’s that for being relative nobody’s right now? I’ve seen every act but The Dunwells and I cannot wait to see them rock the BMI Stage this weekend. I promise that for anyone opting to check these guys out, you will be thankful and have one heck of a story to tell when they break it big.
My recommendation, catch the top half of Alabama Shakes and make your way to The Dunwells.
Saturday, August 4, 4:30-5:10 p.m.
Music Monday: Slightly Stoopid ft. Chali 2na – “Just Thinking”
30 JulOh yes, you read that headline correctly, Slightly Stoopid have dropped “Just Thinking” featuring the one and only Chali 2na of Jurassic5 and Ozomatli fame. The hip-hop baritone guests on the track which will appear on the album Top of the World dropping August 14.
Five For Friday: Lollapalooza Edition No.1
27 JulSo here we are, one week away from Lollapalooza and the excitement is building. So many great bands and musicians over three wild and crazy filled days in Chicago! As Grant Park gets ready to be invaded by 100,000 people, I’m running down a small little guide if you find yourself attending and for those who plan to watch the YouTube stream.
- Let’s get it out of the way, headliners. Night One: pits Black Sabbath vs. The Black Keys – only US date for Black Sabbath, Night Two: Avicii vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers – RHCP dominated Bonnaroo with a fiery set, Night Three: Justice vs. Jack White – what I’m most interested in is how the crowd sways, when Childish Gambino and Kaskade play at the same time.
- Some afternoon delights for you. Bands like First Aid Kit, The Growlers, Michael Kiwanuka, The War On Drugs, Milo Greene, JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, Kopecky Family Band, Chancellor Warhol, Moon Taxi, GIVERS, Bombay Bicycle Club, Outasight, Hey Rosetta!, Oberhofer and more pull early time slots but I promise will be worth arriving for. These bands are awesome and this is some new music you should really be checking out.
- Time Conflicts. A tip of the hat to the schedulers for finding the easiest way to pull a crowd a part as there are many times over the three days that will have festivalgoers torn. For instance, on Saturday at the same time you’ll have to decide between Alabama Shakes, The Temper Trap, The Dunwells, B.o.B and fun. Good luck!
- When the sun goes down, the action heats up. Late night Lollapalooza brings forth some amazing late night shows and some of the best memories of the weekend. Tickets are sold out to the advertised shows but make a few friends and you’ll find out where the rocking parties are. (Last year I caught CULTS, The Black Lips, Crystal Castles, Skylar Grey)
- Who I’m excited for. Well I’ve been fortunate enough to see so many of these acts live before that I’m mostly craving the opportunity to see many for the first time like Of Monsters and Men, The Gaslight Anthem, The Dunwells, Miike Snow, M83, The Weeknd, Twin Shadow, Amadou & Mariam, Dum Dum Girls, The Devil Makes Three, First Aid Kit, Milo Greene, DEV, Dry The River and Moon Taxi. Plus after finally seeing Alabama Shakes live at Bonnaroo, I can’t wait to see them again, simply amazing live.
Video: Bob Ross (Yes, that guy with the afro from PBS) Remixed – Simply Awesome!
27 JulIn one day nearly 600,000 hits for the late Bob Ross (oh yeah, everyone’s favorite afro sporting “happy little trees” artist) of PBS, remixed.
The best part is this was commissioned by PBS! “Bob Ross remixed by Symphony of Science’s John D. Boswell for PBS Digital Studios.” Happy Friday y’all!
New Music: Jukebox The Ghost – Safe Travels
26 JulThree words: Jukebox The Ghost
Who? An amazing band from DC that you need to be listening to ASAP if you are not already
What? A trio who has been together for nearly a decade but has recently found success in the last few years and especially this summer with Safe Travels
Why you should listen? Their new album brings a contagious indie-pop sound through your speakers and will have you tapping your feet in no time
A reason you’ll be excited? Listen to the songs “Somebody” and “Say When” and it will all make sense and if you are heading to Outside Lands in a couple weeks, the fellas are playing on Friday
Why I’m excited: Because it’s just flat out awesome music and I put them on my Summer Playlist Vol.I last month
If you like to listen to: Jack’s Mannequin, Sleeper Agent, The Lonely Forest, Ben Folds, GROUPLOVE, and why not, Billy Joel.
Final thoughts: For the last month plus I have been kicking myself for not even realizing they were performing at Café Where at Bonnaroo this year! I can’t believe I missed this one, especially since I started listening to them the week following and haven’t been able to stop since
Do You Hear The Music? 